This is a wonderful book for anyone at any age. I have read it four or fives times since may father gave me his copy in 1957. His grandfather gave it to him in 1931, so the book has become somewhat of an heirloom. It is the view of a childhood that is quite a contrast to the video gaming, televison oriented life in which children grow up today. It may even make you wish you grew up with Henry Shute.

I was given a copy of this book when I was 11. I somehow lost my copy over the years. On my 60th. birthday, my sister gave me a copy that had a 1909 publishing date. After I broke out in tears, I vowed I wouldn't lose track of this one.

My grandmother had this book and it was the first book I had ever read in one sitting (at the age of ten!) My mother, sister and I would laugh about the misadventures of the characters as if they were our own friends.Now that both my grandmother and my mother are gone, my copy of the book sits in the bookcase with scrapbooks and picture albums. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

In the early 1950's Dad used to read to us on sunday afternoons.
He found this book at a used book store in WV. Often, as he read it to us, he would start laughing so hard he would have to stop to get his breath. Without a doubt this book is the funniest I have ever had the pleasure to read. Parents don't have to worry about content, but it may be a little difficult for younger children to read, because of the author's spelling . Spelling and puncuation were published just the way he wrote them as a young lad, growing up in New Hampshire during the mid-ninteenth century.Here's a real 'history' lesson to find out what life was like before video games,TV or even radio. My seventeen year old enjoys the book as much as I do.
I believe that 'Brite and Fair' is a sequel to 'The Real Diary of a Real Boy' and that there is a third book in the series. Read them at the serious risk of your funny bone!...

Written in diary form, this book was a sequel to a real diary the author kept in the 1860's when he was a boy. My mom brought this book home from a rummage sale in the 1950's and my brothers, my sister and I read it over and over, taking turns reading as we sat on the front porch one summer. This book was as fresh and funny nearly 100 years later as when it was written. We all loved the adventures of Pewt, Beany and Plupy - who just couldn't keep out of trouble. I especially liked the tale of preventing the cats from eating the 'chickings'. A really likeable and funny book.

My mother was given this book in the 1920's and she passed it on to my brothers and me. We read it many times while growing up. It was still in print about 15 years ago so I bought copies for my children. They also loved it even though it was from another era. What a fun read. You will laugh out loud.